The Color Encyclopedia of Cape Bulbs

By John C. Manning, Peter Goldblatt, and Dee Snijman

The horticultural world owes the authors a great debt of gratitude for this exceptional work.

Pacific Horticulture

The Cape Region, at the southern tip of Africa, is easily among the richest centers for bulbous plants and probably the most famous. Nearly 1200 species of bulbous plants find their home there and almost three-quarters of them occur nowhere else. This first complete account of all the bulbous plants of the Cape Floral Region is an essential aid to the identification of all species presently in cultivation as well as the many others that are potentially valuable horticultural subjects. The book is richly illustrated with high-quality color photographs of more than half the species of Cape bulbs, many of which have never been illustrated before.

Book preview

Media reviews

"The horticultural world owes the authors — and the publishers — a great debt of gratitude for this exceptional work."

—Pacific Horticulture

"The authors have largely succeeded in making accessible this rich flora to the interested horticulturalist in terms that are not too complex or techinical. Highly recommended."

—Paul I. Forster, Plant Systematics and Evolution

"Definitely a reference book for bulb enthusiasts, we strongly recommend it if you are interested in the subject."

—Bloomings Books

"This is an excellent book for any botanical, horticultural or gardening collection."

—Margaret Henderson, E-Streams

"These pictures are superbly printed, beautifully sharp and with very good colour, so this book is a real treat for the botanist or gardener who is keen on bulbs."

—Plant Talk

"While aiming for comprehensiveness for botanists, the volume is also a breathtaking guide for travelers and a lavishly illustrated source of inspriation for gardeners."

—SciTech Book News

"A rigorous, comprehensive, and comprehensible treatment of the subject and the only book of its kind. It also is a very beautiful book."

—Ann Milovsoroff, Pappus

"This larege, handsome volume documents for the first time the amazing variety of species bulbs found in the Cape region of South Africa ... They are offered alphabetically by genus, making it a user-friendly text for beginner and old-hand alike."

—University of California at Santa Cruz Arboretum Bulletin

"The first guide to the nearly 600 species of bulbs from the southern tip of Africa, many of which are beginning to bring unusual beauty to outdoor and indoor gardens in America."

—Avant Gardener

"I can not think of any other trio of botanists whose combined knowledge of the subject would be greater. Each of them is an expert in their field, and they all write so very well ... With over 600 wonderful color photographs, this book is not only a great reference work, but also an inspiration for all who love bulbs and plants in general to visit this enchanting part of the world."

—John E. Bryan, Gardening Newsletter

"Just before leaving for South Africa, I asked a botanist there if I should bring this book. Too late. He considered this such an important volume that he had purchased his copy as soon as it was published. After seeing the book I understood why. It is the definitive volume for anyone interested in this incredibly diverse group of South African geophytes."

—Lytton John Musselman, Plant Science Bulletin

"I find browsing through this book after a stressful day a most relaxing exercise. Sell your television and buy yourself a copy."

—Rosa Steppanova, Shetland Times

"This book will delight those interested in botanical distinctions."

—R. Cox, California Garden

"All the species are described with information on habitat, flowering time and geographic distribution."

—Marty Figley, Michigan Observer and Eccentric

"From the moment I saw the beautifully illustrated dust jacket of The Color Encyclopedia of Cape Bulbs I was enchanted ... anyone keenly interested in the diverse Cape flora (particularly the geophytes or bulbs!) cannot do without this book."

—David J. McDonald, Veld and Flora

"This book is a glorious work, with stunning photos mostly of the plants growing in habitat."

—Susi Torre-Bueno, Let's Talk Plants

"This book is a marvelous contribution by three of theh world's best known botanists. I can confidently predict that it will increase in value with time and will be an asset to libraries and book collectors alike. All bulb enthusiasts should own a copy of this magnificent volume."

—J. van Staden, South African Journal of Botany

"The Color Encyclopedia of Cape Bulbs is ... a very beautiful book. If you have visited the Cape, or want to, you should own it. If you are interested in the dramatic range of bulbous plants that the Cape climate has generated, you should own it."

—Ann Milovsoroff, Pappus

"Cape bulbs have never before been so authoritatively treated between the covers of a book, or as amply illustrated. It is an essential addition to the bulb enthusiast's library."

—Alan W. Meerow, Herbertia

About the authors

John C. Manning

John C. Manning is Senior Specialist Scientist in the Compton Herbarium, South African National Biodiversity Institute, Kirstenbosch. Collaborator with Peter Goldblatt on several books, Manning has studied the anatomy, embryology, and seed development of diverse plants and is an accomplished botanical artist.

Peter Goldblatt

Peter Goldblatt, a leading expert on the iris family and its relatives, is B. A. Krukoff Curator of African Botany at the Missouri Botanical Garden in St. Louis. Author of many papers, Goldblatt has also written numerous books. He is the co-author, with John C. Manning, of The Color Encyclopedia of Cape Bulbs ( 2002), Crocosmia and Chasmanthe (2004), and The Iris Family (2008).